These are cool

fuss · Feb 26, 2019

Just got around to looking at these dusty old rock kit I got in that collection I bought, I'd say 1960's or so. Pretty cool selection in them, probably some would not be included in kits today like cinnabar, galena and asbestos maybe others, in fact should I encapsulate the hazardous ones?

lairmo · Feb 26, 2019

They are cool. Leave them as is. It won't hurt anyone unless you grind it up and breathe it..(asbestos,etc,)

DDancer · Feb 28, 2019

Yep, be just fine leaving that collection as it is. Nice recovery from the attic.

fuss · Feb 28, 2019

No plans on grinding them, so Ill leave as-is.

lairmo said:
They are cool. Leave them as is. It won't hurt anyone unless you grind it up and breathe it..(asbestos,etc,)

fuss · Feb 28, 2019

Thx. Wondering about the labeling as well, a couple don't look right. Also I cant find any info on "pearlite" maybe its an out dated name for what ever it is?

DDancer said:
Yep, be just fine leaving that collection as it is. Nice recovery from the attic.

DDancer · Mar 1, 2019

Might be a local name for a type of chalcedony. The two sandstone samples are local derivatives. Some names of minerals have changed over time. Cant read the top of the box but maybe there's a clue there.

meMiner · Mar 4, 2019

Seeing this made me go look for my old collection from when I was a kid. Low and behold it contains galena. Unfortunately, no gold nuggets.

fuss · Mar 5, 2019

you should snap a photo and post it.

Clay Diggins · Mar 6, 2019

None of these minerals can hurt you unless you grind them up and snort or eat them. Even if you were stupid enough to eat powdered rock specimens there is a very good chance the rock would not have any effect but to pop out the other end a little smellier.

The one exception would be snorting powdered Crocidolite. 20 years later you might get lung scarring and thickening or cancer from that asbestos mineral. If you are in the habit of powdering and snorting Crocidolite my best advice is to stop now and get professional help. :icon_scratch:

The real dangers from minerals are about breathing quantities of fine dust. The big offender there is silica dust from mining, farming, landscaping and demolition work. Burning some minerals can release dangerous fumes. If you are just displaying small samples in a box the danger is nil.